There’s a lot going on in the world right now and it can feel frightening. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. We’ve faced lots of challenges over the last couple of years. With the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives in and out of work have been dictated by lockdowns, rules and restrictions, and we’ve been unable to socialise with the ones we love. And just when it felt like we were over the worst of it, and perhaps we could return to a sense of calm, we’re being confronted by worrying times overseas amongst other news stories. It’s tricky to keep on top of it all without feeling anxious.
The truth is, many of these things are outside of our control. This lack of control can lead to an overwhelming sense of anxiety; of not knowing what to expect and when. And not being able to make plans in advance, or have things to look forward to, can take its toll.
So, if you’re finding it hard to stop worrying about the uncertainties that surround us right now, what can you do? And how can you support each other at work?
We asked Dr. Jo Yarker, of Affinity Health at Work, for some tips in navigating all this. Her approach focuses on three things:
“We all have a tendency to see things in black and white: ‘things that are in my control’ and ‘things that are not’. But we often have more control than we realise. We can build an IGLOo to help us through challenging times.”
Your IGLOo refers to resources that can help you manage your worries – we have Individual, Group, Line manager, Organisational and Outside resources. While we might not be able to control everything as an Individual, we can look for help from others in:
Sometimes things are outside of our own control, but with the help of our IGLOo we can see we are not all alone.
It can be useful to remember that everyone is having a slightly different experience: different habits, reasons, vulnerabilities, worries and needs. They’re not always obvious. It’s OK to discuss these – explain what you need or what you’re thinking, and ask people what’s going on for them. Mind’s page on mask anxiety has lots of examples of negotiating the world of confused expectations.
Don’t feel bad about switching off from the news (however you consume yours) sometimes. Keeping track of what’s going on can feel a little like keeping things under control – but try to notice what effect this has on your mood. After all, stuff will still happen, or not happen, whether you read about it or not.
If you can, think about your working patterns: how, where and when you do things. As the world changes around us, it’s sometimes worth revisiting old habits. More and more people are working flexibly in one way or another, and you can’t be in trouble for asking about it. A wellness action plan can help you to identify what works well for you, what might not, and what your signs are that things might need a change.
We’ve suggested some resources below that can help you with lots of these ideas. From all of us: take care.
It feels as though there is a lot of uncertainty to deal with at the moment. This article from Stylist has helpful tips on focusing on what you can control and what you have power over - including your own responses to situations and events.
The subject of face coverings has become a big part of life - from questions of when, where and whether you should wear them, to their effects on wearers and those around them. Whatever your views, this article has advice on navigating the worries around them.
This short guide from Mind explores some of the worries and difficulties you might experience due to the coronavirus pandemic, and some ways to ensure your mental health is protected.
Sometimes, little changes in your behaviour, thoughts, lifestyle or focus can make a big difference to your wellbeing. These pages from Mind have a range of suggestions.
This quick guide goes into more detail about the IGLOo framework - with lots of practical tips on how individuals, groups, leaders and organisations can be a source of support, particularly during the pandemic.
Wellness action plans are an easy way to help support your own mental health at work and that of your team members. They particularly focus on identifying signs and triggers, as we spoke about above. Mind has guidance and templates to get you started, for both employees and line managers.
If you're working from home, or partly from home, what keeps you well might be different from if you were out in a workplace - and the ways you interact with colleagues certainly will be. This wellness action plan can help think them through.
Change in the workplace is often inevitable, but the impact it can have upon employees will differ. This guide helps managers guide their staff through stressful periods of change.
This page gives a simple overview of some of the factors to consider when you're working partly from home. It's designed to help line managers make a success of it - so is a good way to think through what your options might be.
We are bombarded with news about the pandemic and other worries. This article from Medical News Today offers advice on coping when the bad news is affecting your mood or wellbeing.
